SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ABUSE AT PLACES OF WORK AND COMMUNITIES

The Women’s Movement in Zambia has received with great consternation, reports of sexual abuse at the Zambia Air Force (ZAF). The movement has been greatly disturbed that a woman who dared to voice out the abuse is being victimized and has been sent to live away from her family as a form of punishment.

We are also concerned that there has been an attempt to cover up and protect the abuser. We are also concerned about the threats and intimidation would be informers, other women who have also indicated that they have been abused in a similar manner and those wanting to seek justice for the woman are being subjected to by ZAF.

We are also aware that this is not isolated to ZAF alone, cases of sexual harassment and abuse at work places are rampant in the country.

The Women’s Movement is further concerned that inspite of the numerous reports on the matter, the Criminal Justice Agencies and other investigative wings have failed to move in and investigate this case, therefore hampering the woman’s protection and access to justice. We wish to state that vulnerability to on-going victimization is one of the most important issues for justice agencies to address, women who experience sexual abuse and other forms of gender based violence often do not report these crimes due to poor response if they do.

In this regard, the Women’s Movement is demanding that the Government, the Zambia Air Force, the Human Rights Commission and the Anti Corruption Commission:-

a) thoroughly and fully investigate the claims of sexual abuse at ZAF,
b) provide protection and amnesty for people wanting to provide information on sexual and other abuses at ZAF and specifically for the woman who has already made the sexual abuse charges.

c) ensure personal protection for the victims and informers of abuse which includes protection from losing their jobs.

d) ensure zero tolerance to abuse of this nature. We warn the would be abusers of women that the women’s movement in Zambia has declared a zero tolerance on Violence Against Women and will endeavor to expose all abusers, regardless of their status in society.

We call upon all activists to support the victims of abuse at the ZAF and also urge Government to uphold the basic tenets of human rights and ensure that justice is done.